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April 16, 2023
In a viral video, the officer identified as Isa explained that the REC collected N2 billion to declare the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate as the winner.
The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has commenced an investigation into an attack on one of its personnel in Adamawa State, which was captured on video
A statement issued by the secret police titled ‘DSS Investigates Attack On Its Staff In Adamawa State’ on Sunday evening said the assault was being investigated.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that a DSS said the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa, Hudu Yunusa, was paid N2 billion to declare Aishatu Dahiru Binani as the winner of the governorship election in the state.
In a viral video, the officer identified as Isa explained that the REC collected N2 billion to declare the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate as the winner.
He denied being an accomplice in the fraud, insisting that he led a team to arrest the electoral commissioner.
"I told you while we were in the car that the REC collected money running into billions of naira to rig the election. I don't know the exact amount but let's put it at N2 billion," Isa said.
Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson in the statement said, “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to a trending video on the social media in which someone suspected to be its staff was allegedly manhandled by some political miscreants in Adamawa State.
“This followed developments arising from the supplementary governorship election in the State.
“The Service wishes to inform the public that it has commenced a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident.
“While calling for calm, the Service also implores concerned parties in Adamawa State to remain peace loving and shun violence.”
SaharaReporters earlier on Sunday reported that a dramatic twist to the governorship election in Adamawa state had emerged after the APC candidate, Binani was declared the winner of the poll before the completion of the collation of results.
But INEC, in a statement on its official Twitter handle shortly after the announcement of Binani as the winner of the election, described the action of the REC as the “usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer”.
“It is null, void and of no effect,” the statement issued by Barr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner, Information & Voter Education, said.
It further said, “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has clearly not been concluded.”
“Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.
“The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission's Headquarters in Abuja immediately. Detailed statement to follow shortly,” it added.